Super Fun Summer Smoothies! Recipe

Every so often, I get on these mean green daily smoothie kicks that in all honesty, can get a little TOO green over time. The kick starts with delicious well-balanced smoothies but as the days go on, I start cutting corners. I add too much liquid so that the blender will blend fast, leaving me with a watery smoothie. And speaking of water, that’s what I use when I run out of almond milk. I add ice in the name of “thickness” and I start skipping all ingredients that actually add flavor. What I (we) are left with to drink first thing in the morning is basically a Kale Icy. I know that sounds like it might be good and healthy, but it’s really not – we gulp them down these leafy drinks are hungry a few hours later.

But now that it’s summer, I’ve decided to re-up on my smoothie game – these new recipes are SO delicious and they’re inspired by four of my favorite summer treats: blueberry muffins, peaches & cream, PB&J sandwiches, and mint chip ice cream. In other words – smoothies worth waking up for! For this post, I’ve teamed up with Whole Foods Market to try out some new plant-based protein powders. Their supplements are often on sale, click here to check out the sales flyer for your local store!

First up: Blueberry Muffin SmoothieThis is next best thing to cake for breakfast! Its muffin-like flavor and thickness comes from whole rolled oats. It’s naturally sweetened with dates and a pinch of cinnamon. I used Whole Foods Market™ Plant-Based Fit Protein, which makes this a well balanced breakfast full of plant protein (pea protein, cranberry protein and hemp seed protein) as well as a little pick-me-up from the green coffee bean, and green tea extracts that are in the powder. I also snuck a handful of spinach in this smoothie which is pretty undetectable.

Peaches & Cream Pecan SmoothieI love peaches more than any other fruit on the planet so this is by far my favorite smoothie. When I first made it, I tasted it and said “this is ice cream!” It works with almond milk or coconut milk, and the pecans make it so rich and creamy. The Whole Foods Market™ Plant-Based Fit Protein adds a nice vanilla and cinnamon flavor along with it’s protein boost. I like to make this one really thick and eat it with a spoon. Beyond breakfast, I’ll eat this for dessert any day.

Last week while making these, I basically raided the Whole Foods supplement aisle to test out the protein powders that would best compliment my summer smoothies. In the end I chose 2 favorites – both are both fantastic plant-based protein options that have great texture and complimentary and/or neutral flavors. Whole Foods Market™ Plant-Based Fit Protein works especially well with in the Blueberry Muffin and Peaches & Cream Pecan smoothies. 365 Pea Protein is great in these last 2 smoothies – Strawberry PB&J and Mint Chip – because its flavor is so neutral.

Strawberry PB&JBerries and peanut butter (or almond butter) is a go-to smoothie combo for me but I never get sick of it. It always reminds me of a PB&J sandwich and it always leaves me full until lunch. To thicken this smoothie, I used chia seeds and 365 Everyday Value® Pea Protein. I added a bit of spinach to this one as well – just enough to keep it pink. If you add too much spinach it will turn brown but it’s still delicious.

Mint Chip SmoothiesThis one reminds me of summer as a kid because my sister would always order mint chocolate chip ice cream (I was a cookies & cream girl). To make this creamy, I used a frozen banana, coconut milk frozen into ice cubes, and 365 Everyday Value® Pea Protein. Its green color comes from a few handfuls of spinach and a good handful of mint. In lieu of chocolate, cacao nibs make this a healthy breakfast treat.

For each smoothie – blend ingredients in a blender. Use the blender’s baton (if you have one) to help blend before deciding to add more almond/coconut milk. The key to a thick smoothie is to add enough liquid to move your blender blade, but not too much to make the smoothie thin and watery.

for all smoothies: you can either buy fresh produce and freeze it, or you can buy frozen produce.3.4.3177

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This post was created in partnership with Whole Foods Market. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that keep us cooking!